training or racing with a power meter

Here you go Chris.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=98570&start=1

Good:  I know exactly how much work I'm applying to move the wheel.

Bad:  I know exactly how much work I'm applying to move the wheel.

I love training with a PM. Like Aaron said, having a coach it is like he is there with me on my rides/races and can give me feed back to I can improve and do better the next time.

It can be frustrating to when you want to hit xxx watts and you just don't have it in you. It rocks when you hit new highs or get a new Normalized Power that confirms you have improved.

Trainer rides with power keep you honest as I found last winter. Previous winters time on the trainer was just that, last year I improved during the off season and saw my FTP go up.  

I race with my PM (I have Zipp 404s with PT hub) but go mostly by intuition and how I feel. I have my PM set to display watts, cadence and my HR as I'm not interested while racing what my pace is. My HIM I should have been able to hold higher watts than I did, but given the day it was the right call to back off and use my RPE.